News
Pandemic worsens Michigan’s child care challenges
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Child care deserts, low wages for workers and increasing costs are making child care less accessible in Michigan, experts say. And those problems have only gotten worse due to the pandemic.
News
Growing state cannabis industry faces advertising limits to reach new customers
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As Michigan’s marijuana market matures, area industry professionals say standing out via advertising and marketing is becoming more important.
Capital News Service
Two projects for LGBTQIA+ elderly will help to combat diseases and isolation
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ELDERLY LGBTQA+: Elderly people from the Michigan LGBTQIA+ community who were raised in hostile environments and experienced health care discrimination are gaining health advocacy and community support. Two projects have been announced to serve their needs. BY Vladislava Sukhanovskaya. FOR ALL POINTS
Diversity Issues
Michiganders with rare diseases could receive more state support
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RARE DISEASE COUNCIL: A group of parents and health providers are urging the state to establish a special board on rare diseases. About a million Michiganders may have a rare disease, one that afflicts fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. There are more than 7,000 such diseases, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders. We talk to a Lincoln Park lawmaker and two Detroit area moms of children with rare conditions. By Vladislava Sukhanovskaya. FOR DETROIT and ALL POINTS.
Capital News Service
Michigan pet owners mistreating their animals may have to pay shelter costs
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ANIMAL ABUSE: People charged with abusing animals may have to pay for their care while they await trial. Shelter operators support the legislation but one lawmaker says it would criminalize poverty. We talk to the Huron Valley Humane Society, an Ann Arbor lawmaker and the Michigan Humane, formerly Michigan Humane Society. By Vladislava Sukhanovskaya FOR DETROIT, FOWLERVILLE and ALL POINTS
Health
Help hotline numbers could be at fingertips of pharmacy customers
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HOTLINES: Helplines for poison control, sexual assault, opioid abuse, suicidal throughts, drug overdoses and other emergencies could show up on receipts distributed by Michigan pharmacies. The idea for requiring the helplines came from two Central Michigan University students Heights brothers whose father is a Madison Heights pharmacist. Lawmakers are considering the requirement. For news and business sections. By Vladislava Sukhanovskaya. FOR DETROIT, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL, CORP! and ALL POINTS
Business & Economy
Advocates push ban of chemicals in food packaging
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PFAS FOOD PACKAGING: Some lawmakers and environmental advocates want to ban chemicals in food packaging that they say threatens the health of Michiganders. They includ PFAS, bisphenols and phthalates that can be found in almost every food package – from burger wrappers to bottles for drinks. By Vladislava Sukhanovskay. FOR ALL POINTS.
Capital News Service
Organ transplants from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive patients weighed by lawmakers
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HIV ORGANS: A Michigan lawmaker wants to make more organs available for transplants by allowing HIV-positive donors to give organs to HIV-positive patients. The effort, supported by Gift of Life Michigan, could add up to 1,000 organs a year in Michigan. We talk to the head of the kidney and liver transplant team at the University of Michigan, a Pittsfield Township lawmaker, a Pontiac woman who received a liver transplant, and an official with the Gift of Life of Michigan. By Vladislava Sukhanovskaya. FOR DETROIT, LANSING and ALL POINTS.
Capital News Service
Funding boost will help Michigan students who are homeless
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HOMELESS: Michigan students without homes will gain more than $2 million in funding from the federal stimulus package, according to the Michigan Department of Education. The one-time funding boost from the American Rescue Plan will give more than $100,000 to Kent, Berrien and Oakland intermediate school districts and more than $225,000 to Wayne. We interview a woman who was homeless growing up in Ypsilanti, the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan, a Lansing homeless student coordinator, the Michigan League for Public Policy and the Michigan Department of Education’s coordinator of federal funds for homeless students. By Vladislava Sukhanovskaya. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE and ALL POINTS.
Arts & Entertainment
Senior and student matches help ease isolation
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PERFECT PAIR: A new project is connecting Michigan senior citizens living in assisted care facilities with university students who have shared interests. Emily Lerner and Rachel Alessio, while at the University of Michigan, started the Perfect Pair as a virtual project when the pandemic peaked in May 2020. It aims to reduce seniors’ loneliness and renew interest in life. We talk to an MSU doctor, former UM students who started the match project and an Ann Arbor senior/student pair. Northville, Farmington Hills and MSU references. By Vladislava Sukhanovskaya. For DETROIT, WKAR, LANSING CITY PULSE and ALL POINTS.